Perfect Summer Drink!

Pour your guests an appetising and ice-cold mocktail this summer. Just look at the vibrant colour of this sparkling and cooling drink by Heleen Meyer. It’s quite unique, flavourful and so easy to prepare! You will never guess what she does to prepare this drink …

The drink is mixed in a jam or preserve jar – such a clever way to add some sweetness to the drink, and to make sure you use the last bit of the berry or strawberry jam that’s left in the jar. Yes, that is indeed the method!

The colour of the jam or preserve will determine the colour of the drink and then you can be creative with fruit, berries and even herbs that are in season, to finish off the drink. Remember to chill all the elements in advance to keep it refreshing. Pretty glasses immediately add some elegance, and you will definitely get plenty of compliments for this sip of freshness.

Drinks don’t have to be overly sweet or alcoholic to be festive and stylish. You may not realise it, but some mixers and alcohol can be quite high in sugar, so rather opt for something like this to serve a delicious, yet healthier option. Enjoy this mocktail as a ‘summer sipper’ to enjoy around your summer table when entertaining or just as a liquid refresher.

Cheers!!

Berries, lemon & thyme with bubbles

Recipe by Heleen Meyer

Makes 4 glasses

125 ml (½ cup) ice water

45 ml (3 tbsp) nastergal (umsobo preserve) or any other berry or strawberry jam (see note below)

8 small sprigs fresh thyme or lemon thyme

thin strips of lemon rind

crushed ice

about 400-500 ml tonic water or sparkling water, chilled

edible flowers, like lavender or borage for garnish

extra sprigs of thyme and lemon zest for garnish

1. Pour the iced water into the jam jar, close the lid, and give it a good shake– this works well to thin down the jam a bit.
2. Add the thyme sprigs and strips of lemon rind and shake well again. Place crushed ice into the glasses and divide the jam mixture between the glasses. Top each glass up with the tonic or sparkling water.
3. Garnish with edible flowers, extra thyme and strips of lemon zest. Serve immediately.

For an added kick: add a shot or a dash of gin or vodka to each glass. Alternatively, replace the tonic or sparkling water with chilled MCC (bubbly) for a special drink.

NOTE: the drink in the photo was made using Heerlijk’s nastergal preserve, to get that striking purple colour.

For more recipes like this visit Heleen’s website

Image by Adel Ferreira